Kidd moved from starting shooting guard to backup point guard and the switch could be permanent. Kidd said he and Woodson discussed the move two days ago.

“Coach and I talked about it — whatever the coach needs me to do,’’ Kidd said. “Maybe it will put the ball in my hands a little more and see what happens. I try to make plays for other guys and do the little things. That’s what I do.’’

James White, known as a defender, was inserted into the starting lineup at small forward, and the timing is no coincidence. White was brushing up to face LeBron James of the Heat tomorrow at the Garden. White, in a limited role, handled James nicely in the teams’ most recent meeting, in Miami in December when Carmelo Anthony was injured. White played just 10:12 last night and didn’t score. Kidd came off the bench for 28 minutes and looked more spry, despite a 2-for-6 shooting ledger. He had four points, five assists and three rebounds.

“Just going in a different direction,’’ Woodson said. “Nothing against Kidd. He’s still going to play, and he’ll get in there with the second unit. Just changing it up a little bit. He’s a point guard, and I’ve got to put him in a position to be more successful. I don’t think I’ve done a good job in that area.”

Kidd’s offense has flat-lined since late December. The move broke up the Kidd-Raymond Felton-Iman Shumpert trio that had been in place for 16 games, since Jan. 17 in London, but didn’t wow anyone.

Woodson wouldn’t commit to the rest of the season, but he said this is it for the time being.

“I want [Kidd] more with the ball in his hands to run this team,’’ Woodson said. “It’s what he’s done his whole career.’’